Café 1940

William H. Johnson made this painting, ‘Café,’ using simplified shapes and vibrant colors. The flat planes of color and bold outlines show a real interest in the painting as a process; it’s like Johnson is thinking through the scene right in front of us. The texture is crucial here. Johnson isn't trying to hide the handmade quality of the work, and the paint is applied directly, with a slight roughness that gives everything a tangible feel. Look at the way he renders the suit: the thick lines forming the checks are almost sculptural. This area feels like it holds the key to the whole piece. It’s not just about representing a pattern, but about building it, stroke by stroke. Johnson’s work often reminds me of Romare Bearden. Both artists use a form of visual shorthand to capture the essence of a scene, and like Bearden, Johnson embraces the beauty of imperfection. This painting invites us to see not just what's depicted, but how it's depicted.